Boston sports radio station WEEI announced extensive restructuring on Wednesday, which also includes the end of former New England Patriots player Christian Fauria’s tenure at the station.
Fauria’s midday co-host Andy Gresh was also fired by the station, which also announced a number of other changes to its programming.
Fauria, who played for the Patriots from 2002 to 2005, was suspended by the network in 2018 after he mocked sports agent Don Yee on a show in which he used an exaggerated, stereotypical Asian accent. He later apologized and the network suspended the program for a day to conduct mandatory sensitivity training.
The station also announced Wednesday that co-host Adam Jones will move to the midday show. He will be joined by weekday show host Rich Keefe, who previously held that time slot alongside former WEEI host Dale Arnold, who is no longer with the station. Jones and Keefe once worked together on rival 98.5 The Sports Hub’s evening show.
Andy Hart, who has worked primarily as a stand-in presenter and writer for the station’s website, will now co-host the afternoon show with Christian Arcand, who has served as the afternoon show’s third voice for the past two years or so.
Meghan Ottolini, who also co-hosted the afternoon show, will no longer be a regular on-air host. The network said she will stay with the network as a full-time writer for the website and will occasionally serve as a substitute host.
No announcement has been made as to who will replace Keefe at night.
“These exciting additions bring together a dynamic mix of talent with New England roots that will continue to deliver top-notch content to Boston’s biggest sports fans,” said Mike Thomas, senior vice president and market manager at Audacy Boston, which owns the radio station. “The remarkable on-air styles and interplay of Adam Jones and Rich Keefe will enliven our midday show, while the experience of Andy Hart and Christian Arcand will help build momentum in the afternoon. We look forward to this next chapter of WEEI weekdays as we continue to make WEEI the go-to source for all things Boston sports.”
WEEI, once the most influential sports radio station in Boston, has lagged behind 98.5 The Sports Hub in ratings in recent years.
The program changes are expected to come into effect next week.
